Sites will be run mainly through agreements with for-profit concessionaires, nonprofits

Only a fraction of the 70 California parks originally slated to close this summer because of budget cuts are likely to be shut down, a state parks official said Tuesday.

Agreements already are in place with federal and local government agencies to keep 11 of the parks operating, and negotiations are under way to rescue about 40 other parks on the list, said Michael Harris, acting chief deputy director for the state Department of Parks and Recreation.

“We are working feverishly,” he told The Associated Press in an interview. “We may end up with 15 parks without anybody stepping forward.”

The 70 parks, which make up about a quarter of the state’s 278 parks, beaches and historic sites, had been scheduled to close to save $11 million annually.

“We’re still talking 70 that we can’t afford to operate,” Harris said after testifying before the Little Hoover Commission, a state watchdog agency. But he said he expects the parks will be run mainly through cooperation agreements with for-profit concessionaires and nonprofit organizations.

The 11 parks already taken off the closure list are being funded in a variety of ways. The National Park Service is taking over operation of three parks, while the city of Colusa has agreed to operate one nearby state recreation area.

A donor gave the state $300,000 to continue operating a fifth park, and there are similar arrangements with donors or other governments for the remainder.

Two north San Diego County parks were on the list.

Palomar Mountain State Park looks to remain open at least for the next three years pending finalization of an agreement between a nonprofit group and the state parks department. Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park has already received pledges totaling $72,000 and has agreed to make up the difference between what it costs to operate the park yearly and the revenues generated through camping and day-use fees.

Supporters of the San Pasqual Battlefield State Park are still looking for backers to help keep that park open.

Later, state parks spokesman Roy Stearns cautioned that only the 11 parks with firm operating agreements are in the clear.

“Another 35 show some promise,” Stearns said. “That’s a long way from having a clear indicator that most will remain open.”

The department won permission last month to solicit private concessionaires to operate some parks currently slated for closure. The concessionaires would operate campgrounds, day-use areas, restrooms and educational kiosks.

About 83 organizations expressed interest in helping the department keep the parks operating in various ways, Stearns said.

This month, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended a variety of ways to help keep the parks open. That included transferring park ownership to cities and counties, allowing private and nonprofit companies to operate parks, increasing entrance fees and expanding concession contracts.